E J Zyla / Filka

...ej + THE ALIEN...

2012-01-05T12:12:00.000+10:00

A new project just being launched today.

Possibly being mentioned on The Comic Spot in Melbourne.

Click HERE - to go to the blog

...THE MYSTERY ISN'T ALWAYS IN THE MAKE/ING...

2012-01-04T01:12:00.003+10:00

It is mostly in the unravelling...

This is apt.

This was written around 1999...

What does it mean...many things, now + back then.

I like to think that i am writing for the future, even though i am trying to understand the 'right now'...the idea of understanding myself more by writing in codes or subtleties, allows me to trigger things associated with writing 'in the moment'.

I roam around at night...trying to unravel the noises in my head.

Trying to make something of it all...i write in the park, as cars drive by at a distance + dogs forage through bins.

Drunks occasionally stagger past without really noticing me.

Bats fight in the dark branches of the trees.

I forget what time it is, it gets cold + so i move along.

The dark takes longer to take effect...so i stay out longer.

I always imagined that i would end up with a scar of some sort on the inside of my left wrist.

I have drawn countless designs on it...

I went away in November.

I went for a skate + stacked it.

The doctors told me it was neither broken nor dislocated.

I went back to the hospital for 4 consecutive weeks of visits, x-rays + discussions that 'It's all looking fine' + after thinking i was healing...comes the news that there was in fact 2 fractured bones.

1 was floating, which was fine, but the other needed a metal plate to fix it.

Fuck.

Now it looks like this...

16 days on after surgery + i am starting to get more fluid movement back.
It is weak, unstable + i lack the confidence to use it.

It is not an unhappy tale, as i was musing over it on this very evenings meandering through the park...this is representative of an ending.
Something i was wanting, i got it + now i am better for it.

The mystery isn't in the making.
we pick + choose the mysteries we want to surround ourselves with.
The beauty of the unknown.
The majesty of precision.

the timing of strength.

I am hand in hand with the dark/night...walking toward the sun.

...FINDING THE FLAWS...

2011-12-17T12:40:00.092+10:00

If you listen for longer + further beyond the normal silence you allow yourself...into the echos, past the ripples...to a voice deep within your mind, you find there are more than 1...It starts off as 1, but becomes more.

It was a shard, now shattered + splintered into many tones + attitudes.

Each pieced voice you hear, be it part of your accumulative psyche, is now vying for space...life...an audience.

Are they = Scattered or formulating plans...defiant or true...sympathetic or ready for war.

Be still + feel at your centre a struggle for attention.

These minions of mind are they the ones that shape your woes, desires, tangents + grace?

How to place them according to usefulness; that is the hard part.

Like children fighting over a toy...

I went on a self imposed silent retreat when i was 19.
The goal was to ready myself for myself but, also to discard things i didn't care for.
It started off as 3 months, but extended to 6 months.
No it wasn't hard + i would like to do it again very soon.

Suffering for experience is not an uncommon practice.

As i feel myself preparing for something...again.

Watching me go about my work without being at the control panel.

The little men inside my mind are squabbling over space + i am relentless in my distractions.

Looking for substance in everything – not in other people, as i have been misguided by my own sense of wonder, magic + riddles.

I rarely see a me in them...looking back at me is mocking.
An almost deformed, distorted, unfriendly foreign shape.

A hostility in the reflection.
An affirmation that my singularity stands + shiny objects are not for touching.

Grin for submission, smile at uncertainty...laugh for the uncomfortable that is to come...This is not my function.

My collar bones are bare as bloody fingers scratch at the neck...+ howling is heard in the woods.
I trace this idea with caution but follow its intent...

A subconscious part of me is packing up...probably always has been...just off in the background, noiseless + unobtrusive.
Gentle.

Ready to leave all this behind + I'm not sure if that’s just me or everyone has that...feeling.

Like tracing lines in the sand...but not looking back...only forward.

Not caring about the foot prints left behind...waiting to be wiped away by the wind.

My dreams carry these images...walking backwards through a desert, chalk hands, bloody feet, no fear or sadness...just monsters.

You want to leave a monument, a legacy...but not if it’s less than the rage that fills in the space of your being...my monsters.

The possibility of energy.

The ruin + refinement of the choices.

The darkening of white light as you pass out + remember the meaning of colours.

Love, pain, anguish, grief...release.

Loosing your breath, control + fear.

Hunting.

Shadow games.

Not speaking in negatives for the need of understanding...as i don't see this as negative.
I see the underside as something more akin to being grounded...touching the earth, connected.
Like rock to soil.

Only making mention of the dark, as it is home, it is friend.

I recently sustained injury...i knew i would.

I think i had to.

Some people make peace with the gods + follow archaic rituals; prostrating themselves to show they are worthy.

Others make a pact with 1 god + will forgo a changing human logic to acquire certain spiritual points in order to gain a possible pass into a legend.
I won’t speak of the heavens, as they are but myth + wonder.
I can't really talk of the gods, as they are part of the question we all ask + the answer is privy to you alone....

I can talk of the lost...
I can talk of the imagination...

How is a thing lost?
If it is known, is it not lost...but merely without actuality or presence?
Even taking a wrong path is not truly lost...it just means you are not at the place you need to be at, yet.

A‘lost soul’ can be a phantasm that is conjured with no real intent or purpose.
It has ‘become’ or come into being by accumulative means. i.e – a collective goal or manifestation.
To focus on an idea for a length of time to create the energy.

The Tibetans use this practice...it is called a ‘Tulpa’.
They can become troublesome + misdirected if not taken in hand.

Some of these spirits can dwell + linger.
Some will remain, not always by choice, until they figure out how to get to the next part of the journey.

If you remain fearful, these creatures, these...half beings, can steal your energy + steer your will...they become the driver behind the wheel + you are the vehicle they need to get where they want.

An interpretation, yes...

The imagination is the greatest thing a person can possibly have.
It is my best attribute, friend + offering.
It is the only thing that has been true within myself.

Conjuring/creating or 'calling out' to or from the imagination is part of a practice.
You can be calling on something, be it from your subconscious, your need or desire etc without really knowing it...or being 'aware'. (I hate that term)
Your true intent won't trick you, if + when it comes but, you can betray yourself without knowing.
I think i called a storm.
I have been half careful, stoic, cautious mostly...but the other half is caught in the storm...holding on but ready to let go to see what happens.

I plan on using both 'halves' for the next 6 months, for the work i need to start, continue + finish.

...SHUT UP + DRAW...

2011-12-07T22:24:00.001+10:00

...Ok...

Boba Fett

'Boba Fett' warm up Sketch.
16 x 24cm
Graphite on Paper.
24102011

C3PO

'C3PO' - Re-imagined with custom mods + weapons.

16 x 24cm
Graphite on Paper.
25102011

Master Yoda

'Master Yoda' - with extra Midi-chlorians...

16 x 24cm
Graphite on Paper.
26102011 - SOLD

Killeroo Pinup
SOLD

Xenomorph 1

'Xenomorph' -

16 x 24cm

Graphite on Paper.

27102011

"The perfect organism. Its structural perfection is matched only by its hostility.

I admire its purity. A survivor … unclouded by conscience, remorse, or delusions of morality." - Ash.
Xenomorph 2

2nd Xenomorph
16 x 24cm
Graphite on Paper.
Started at drink + draw - finished at a drink + draw.
14112011

Batman

Drink + Draw Collaboration with Wayne Nichols

Predator

Predator finished.
24 x 32cm
Graphite on PaperFor OZCOMICS challenge - Yet to be scanned.

Couple private commissions i can't share + some secret project action, has taken place also.

Next update will contain the things in between things that help the things become more then just things in my head.

...HIDING IN THE HILLS TILL THE SUN MELTS THE CROWN...

2011-10-24T23:09:00.000+10:00

ASHCAN Launch...

^There was live speed painting in the theater area. On the right, the carpet in the foyer was magnificent.

^This is early on in the evening, the place got pretty busy. On the right, you can see Zac looking slightly bewildered...

^8 Bit music followed by some dude on guitar...it was hot in there, so i opted to mosey to the airconditioned part of the building...

^The Ashcan peeps were nice enough to let me hock my wares whilst there.

So this is what we ended up doing...playing really really terrible pool, Wayne always ready to throw up the devil horns. On the right are the kings of Ashcan, giving speeches + drawing the raffle prize (Which i won) Huzzah!

^Another Batman...will the madness ever stop?!
16 x 24cm
Graphite on Paper.

...CHASING FIRE TO END THE CIRCLE...

2011-10-24T01:02:00.002+10:00

When i toil on a concept, i spend ages on it, like with my 3rd Zine 'Bird_Habit.1 - Dreams of Dust'

I tend to make something + then move on.
This is pretty lame, i really should get out there more + sell my stuff, but i get distracted by a new idea or project.
Anyway...i won an award for it.
The Golden Stapler Award that was created by Format Collective in Adelaide + Held at the 'This is Not Art' festival.
I won 'Best zine of the year'

^This is my '4 Words For Paper' zine/comic/thingo...

^Finished digital version of another Batman

^Baby sitting some very lively squidlings...i am King, they are blue with vitamin B + we built a kingdom out of cushions...

^Commission work - A4 - 'The Hunger' Graphite on Paper.

^ I was lucky enough to attend the surprise party of the couple who portrait i did.
It was a great night + they both flipped out when they saw it, this makes me happy.

...A LITTLE VIOLENCE IS NECESSARY...

2011-10-23T23:15:00.002+10:00

AUSCON -

^The day started off with us '24 Hour comics challenge' peeps sitting right up near the Band Hero set-up...it got tedious as you would imagine.

^Wayne + Zac hit it.

^Down to the serious business of drawin'...Kade Morton of Ashcan Comics on the left + Peter Yong on the far right...a very talented fellow who works for Pandemic Studios.

^ I asked Wayne if he could draw Batman + i would sketch it up large on the table.
Image on the left is copyright of Wayne Nichols.

^Laying down some sharpies...

^The day slowly went from constructive to shenanigans...we all went + got scars + guns...

^The days end...kids after snacks + scars... On the right...the Copycat Kill Crew.

^It took me a few days to finish Batman at home...

^Really couldn't help myself...had to do it.
Who wouldn't want to share Batmans' Berry flavoured Ice-cream...seriously.

^The final product...as used for the advert for Drink + Draw sessions that happen in the city every 2 weeks.
Mixed media on board...78 x 100cm.

...CHING SHIH...

2011-10-10T21:29:00.001+10:00

I created a poster for an Australian Comics collective on facebook.
Each week there is a new challenge set to interpret/draw a comics based character.
The previous themes have been
1 - Dr Who
2 - Zombies
3 - Hellboy
4 - Optimus Prime
5 - 5th Element
6 - Rogue (from X-Men)
7 - Pirates
8 - The Hulk
So i have done 1 Hellboy, 1 Pirate drawing + 1 Hulk drawing.

The Ching Shih poster ended up being around 63cm long + 30cm wide.

I then cropped it + did some fancy digital magic + hence...above.

Hulk -

That's all i can be bothered uploading for now, as i have too much work to do...I will post again later this week.

...SO MUCH MANY DRAWINGS...

2011-09-19T21:32:00.001+10:00

Things happening in October...

October the 1st...
This year i am participating in the 24 hour comic challenge.
It will be held at the gaming convention 'AUSCON', here in Brisbane + it should be loads of fun.
Wayne Nichols who works for Radical comics, as a penciller, will be a fellow scribble monkey like me...Travis D Hendrix (My graphic Novel partner in crime) + Zac Smith Cameron of Ashcan Comics are also on board.
There will be more names added to the list...

October the 8th
4ZZZ Zine fair - Fortitude Valley.
Adding more at a later date (When i can figure what happens when, more)

Also, here is the last couple of 'I scribbled your face' portraits i did recently.

9 - 'ENG'

Jimmy Eng
Graphite on paper
35mins
Approx 10.5 x 14.5 cm
26082011

10 - 'Traverse'

Travis D. Hendrix
Graphite on paper
70mins
Approx 21 x 17 cm
26082011

...BATMAN THE SECOND...

2011-09-19T20:58:00.000+10:00

Here is another Batman
Conjured in an half awake state + drawn into existence in under an hour the next morning.
I quite like Batman as a subject, not sure if it is because he is a bad ass character or if it's just the shapes he creates in my head as i take him apart + re-imagine him.
Slick facial helmet with spiky ear things.
Billowing ominous cape.

Gloves
Boots
Darkness + brooding

The dude is bad ass (Modern Batman, that is)...The Dark Knight...

All previous incarnations - be they televised in the 70s or camply referred to in later years, aren't what i am referencing in my head.

'The darkness creeps'...

24 x 16cm
Graphite + ink on paper.
Just under an hour.

I will be adding a digital version of this pic, later in the week.

...NANANANANANANANANABATMAN...

2011-09-06T22:24:00.000+10:00

Every 2nd Sunday, i go to a Drink + Draw session with a group of other artists.
They are held in the city + they are not only pretty fun to attend, they are a really great way to meet other creatives' + talk shop about their practice, technique + what their aims/plans are for their work.
There is no set outline as to what you should draw, you just turn up + drink (If you feel so inclined) + start drawing whatever you like.
I have been a little intimidated by the drawing in public thing, but then so is everyone else.
There are artists of varying skill + technique.
Some are just hobby drawers, others are Graphic designers', comic book artists, Illustrators, fine artists etc.
On Sunday the 4th session, i actually got a little more done than usual.

Batman seems to be quite popular at these drink + draws'...so i had a crack at him.
Done in an hour. (A little finishing at home)
Graphite on sketch paper.
Approx 28 x 18cm

[+]

...LESS IS MORE THAN YOU KNOW...

2011-08-26T01:18:00.001+10:00

More quick portraits...
All these are unscanned + unfinished...

5 - 'Mr Sang' - John Stewart
Graphite on Paper
30 mins
Approx 16 x 11cm
24082011

6 - 'Sweet Yuki' - Yuki Nakano
Graphite on Paper
15 mins
Approx 11.5 x 15.5 cm
25082011

7 - 'J is for...' - Jackie Ryan
Graphite on Paper
20 mins
Approx 11 x 15 cm
25082011

8 - 'Trouble' - Damo Wilson + Regan Wilson
Graphite on paper
35mins
Approx 13.5 x 10 cm
25082011

More to come...

...MESMERIZED BY THE COLD...

2011-08-24T00:10:00.001+10:00

I have started doing portraits of some of my friends for practice + fun.
Today i did 4...

1 - 'Cutest Wednesday, ever' - (Angela)
Approx 14 x 17cm
40 mins
Graphite on paper

2 - 'Card Shark' - (Darren)

Approx 10 x 14 cm

20 mins
Graphite on paper

3 - 'Milk was a good choice' - Wayne Nicols
Approx 21 x 16cm
1 hour
Graphite on paper

4 - 'Hanque' (Daryn)

30 mins

Approx 10.5 x 16cm
Graphite on paper

I will eventually scan these once i have finished the set (Not sure how many i will do, either)

I have a couple self portraits to do yet but i thought i would do some friends, as self portraits seem a little self indulgent at the moment.

I also have 2? other portraits of my younger sister to do yet.

I am enjoying the limit of 1 hour to each pic, although the one of Wayne is 1 hour...the others are all well under. Waynes pic is the biggest, too + i am not entirely happy with how unfinished it is.
I will work on it at the end of the set.

I will update them as i do them.

...SPACE CALLS BACK THE DARKNESS AS STARS FALL...

2011-08-01T15:31:00.003+10:00

I like when the universe throws little tests at you...
I relish a challenge, so when it comes time to make decisions + take that journey across the unknown (without a map)...it's best to go with your instincts.
Mind mapping works if you listen to that familiar faint voice that knows you best.

So you ask the universe for the first clue...you may get a riddle back...you may get no response back at all.
So it's best to just start + prove to yourself that you are stronger/greater than the things that make you fear the first step.
If you are lucky in that the answers you get back are affirmations in the positive...then nothing should deter you from your goals.

When they are in the negative, not all is lost...think of it as re-adjusting your 'rear vision mirror', rather than putting your blinkers on to take a different path.
As the negative things that repeat in your life, are from previous habits + ways of thinking.
Why am i saying all this?

The universe said i should...

We venture out into space + look for the unknown...study matter + energy.
I have a universe of the undiscovered in my head + its up to me to explore it + bring the best of it back.

My Graphic Novel is going to be one great adventure...i may get a little lost, but i will come back eventually with more answers + doubly more questions.

Aside from the topic of science, the arts of understanding magic aren't lost...they're just sleeping.

The Demi Gods know what i am talking about...

I shall be adding to the collection over the next month, the creatures + characters with whom have made themselves known to me in my travels.
No doubt i shall be pondering in riddles more, too.

...GRAPHIC NOVEL- BLOG LAUNCH...

2011-07-09T15:40:00.001+10:00

So i have been working on the blog for the Graphic Novel that Travis + I are doing.

Here is the LINK...to the site

Below is the welcome bot image - a before + after version...transition from traditional graphite sketch on paper to digital image.

It's pretty exciting, as i have been wanting to do a Graphic Novel for such a long time.

Travis is an amazing artist + i am very lucky to have the opportunity + privilege to undertake this magic journey with him.
Our styles, altho quite different, shall compliment each other in the very best of ways...

After much discussion + sounding out of ideas, there seems to be a succinctity with our ideas + concepts.

The Graphic Novel shall be a real melding of our own unique styles + worlds.

I hope the you will follow the blog + watch us as we carve out a little piece of imaginary.

...RED CLOUDS MAKE WAY FOR THE DARK...

2011-06-15T15:10:00.001+10:00

Playing catch ups...
Lately I have had little to no urge to do anything about my blog...
So out of obligation more than interest - this is a catch up type post
Here is some stuff that i have done...

I shall start with the newer stuff - then work my way back..

Here you can see 2 'Interpretive Portraits' of my very lovely younger sister
I have been meaing to do more 'real life' portrait work...but always end up just scrawling out some made up hoo har...so it was nice being able to unravel some ideas about how i see my younger sister.
The one on the right, I did 1st - It was more of a 'love song' about her -
I thought about how when we were younger + how we used to be pretty much inseperable
She lives a couple of hours away from me + that bothers me immensly
The pic on the Left...is an done whilst thinking about when she was bitten quite badly by a dog when we were little kids...
It's more of a warrior interpretation of her
I have started the 3rd one, as i plan on doing 5 portraits in total of her.

Below - Is some table rubbish + a new sketch...

There is a thing called Drink + Draw that has been going on for a little while now + i finally made it to one of them- It's not a big group yet, but it will be
Also on the right - is me at Free Comic Book Day at Claytons Comics

Lets see....what else

There was AUSCON...

I did an interview for The Paper Cuts Collective with Jackie Ryan of Burger Force
Jackie has made is available to sponser her via 'Pozible' - check it out
She is also having an exhibition for the artwork too...

Here is a link on my blog to the whole interview without editing etc

Below - There were visiting times too...had one of my sisters Squidlings come + stay
We visited the Forest Moon of Endor..i showed her where the Ewoks live...

Below - visit to mumsies - Breakfast cooked by mumsie herself - On the right...storm action on the way home

I also fell over + bumped my chin quite badly...So i had a nice big scab on my chin for Free Comic Book Day

Clouds + clouds...

More stuff has happened but i really can't be arsed right now :)

Interview on Jackie Ryan of Burger Force - By E J Zyla

2011-06-15T14:52:00.000+10:00

This is the 2nd interview i have done for the Paper Cuts Collective-The 1st was for the Penny Black Project I particpated in last year which was co-ordinated by Joanna Coltman.

I don't really know what to think of 'collectives' as such, as they seem to be more a vehicle for those who want to corner an idea...but having spoken to Jeremy Staples, who is a great guy + really enthuiastic about self publishing, i thought 'Hey, why not'...So out of my own ideas about what self publishing is + wanting to broaden the playing field in terms of creative endevour, i shall continue to interview those whos works go on over looked + maybe whose creative origins, altho not explicitly in zines...are still, in my opinion considered worthy of inclusion.

Here is the interview in full...

Interview with Jackie Ryan of ‘Burger Force’ – By E J ‘Filka’ Zyla...

Intro –

This interview is done as part of the plan to open up discussion, expose other creative areas of endeavour + share with the greater Indie/DIY community, those who publish, get published + of course, self publish (apart from zines) across Brisbane + the greater areas of QLD.

There is such a diversity here is Queensland...that there seems to be a need to show how these other industries/disciplines cross over + bleed into each other...like zines + comics...comics +books, books + Artists Books then into galleries etc...

Over the rest of the year, I plan on interviewing Poets, Established Comic Book Artists, Gallery owners, Take a look at the QLD bookbinders guild speak to those who not only love + support zines + comics – but ask how they see the genre + find out what else is alive in QLD...

The interview –

“Burger Force is the story of an undercover espionage agency located beneath a fast food take away. Burger Force agents spend part of their time serving thick shakes and fries and the rest of it thwarting diabolical masterminds committing crimes against pop culture.

Burger Force is an independent comic featuring real people and locations that have been 'comified' through a laborious combination of software and hand retouching. “

Where did you grown up + what were your interests in school....

I grew up in Brisbane. My interests at school included English, avoiding a Jazz-ercise teacher who tried to make us exercise exclusively to Whitney Houston’s ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’, playing practical jokes and trying to develop secret codes and signals for use in the playground jungle.

What do you work as now ...

I work part time designing adverts for a newspaper. The rest of the time belongs to Burger Force.

How + when did the idea for ‘Burger Force’ come to fruition –

I’ve been writing it on and off since 1999. The two defining moments in my pop culture life were ‘The Avengers’ (Diana Rigg period) and ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. Burger Force, to my mind, is what would happen if these two entities met up on a dark and stormy night. This is basically just me writing the type of stuff I like to watch.

How long have you been working on BF -

Since the end of last century. Even the Soviets only had a 5 year plan.

What are some of the obstacles you have faced with producing BF?

Time and distance. The actors are scattered all over the country and have pretty full schedules so it is quite a business getting everyone together in the one place at the one time. Making the comic is also very time consuming. I just hope I get the thing finished before we’re all retired. Maybe some nice nurse will read the final issue aloud to us at the nursing home.

How has it been perceived by the comic peeps to the zine peeps? –

Is there more receptivity, do you think, from one or the other?

People from both communities have been very welcoming. I have had more to do with the comic community (what with it being a comic and all) but zine folks have been very inclusive. The general thinking seems to be that as long as it is an independent work it is welcome in zine places.

What can we expect from BF in the future?

Plot twists, romance, revelations and good fashion.

There is also an exhibition coming up at Brew Gallery

Opening night is on Wednesday, June 22nd .

What is some advice you would offer to anyone aspiring to create their own comic or comic based zine?

Read widely within the genre. Be fluent with traditional methods for story telling with sequential art before choosing to depart from them. Will Eisner and Scott McCloud have both written excellent books on the subject.

Where can we get your hands a copy of BF?

If you are in Brisbane, they are at Clayton’s Comics, Avid Reader and Rocking Horse Records. Melbournites can find them at Minotaur, Polyester and the Sticky Institute. Everyone else can find them in the online shop at www.burgerforce.com

LINKS – http://www.burgerforce.com/

http://www.pozible.com.au/index.php/archive/index/927/description/0/0

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Burger-Force/39266463149

“Jackie Ryan is the writer/director of a number of short films and music videos, some of which can be seen at www.jackieryan.net.

Jackie began working on the scripts for this particular project last century (a rather dramatic way of saying 1999). The first issue of Burger Force appeared online in 2009.

The final issue of the series should be available some time in 2015. So...it's quite a lengthy process.”

Would you like spies with that? / The art of Burger Force

Opening night 5.30 - 9.00PM Wednesday 22 June
22 – 13 June 2011
@ Brew Wine Bar

100 Burnett Lane, City (a few doors down from Rockinghorse)

*
Jackie has Burger Force up on 'Pozible' - You can help her fund the next issues for as little as $5...please check it out

Next interview is with Brisbane poet, Mandy Beaumont.

...4 WORDS FOR PAPER - ZINE/PUBLICATION/THINGO...

2011-05-11T14:35:00.001+10:00

The following was a blog entry from my '4 Words For Paper' blog-

'Turning the artists books from Round I of this project into a zine/comic...publication of sorts has taken longer than first thought-
I thought, 'Hey...i can work on this before i REALLY get started on my Graphic Novel...you know, get it out of they way, since all of the work is already done + just sitting there...this will be a cinch...+ done in no time'
Choosing the first 3 Projects out of the 12, so i can make 3 possibly 4 zines in total...

Peasy, right?!

The crux of it is this...having used mixed antique + vintage materials in the artist books they looked fantastic...in the flesh-
When i have taken them out to share, you get a sense of the overall project... 12 red envelopes means, 12 artist books, means 1 full project...all uniformly lined up or spread out, open - showing their individual contents...

I thought it would be nice + simple to create a zine from all the work that i had put into each book-
Upon seeing these scanned images open on my laptop screen...they just looked really flat + lifeless-
Also...the amount of time that has lapsed, made me feel as tho i couldn't 'recapture' or emulate what i was doing when i created these artists books ( I started this project in 2007 to 2008 )
So, knowing that i have (as most creatives' who constantly hone their skills + explore new ways to cultivate their practice) since evolved...i knew i couldn't go backwards...

I also wasn't happy with presenting this project in the printed format....to share + sell the way that they were-
So i just said 'F*ck it' + decided to re-do the whole thing-

^ I tried re-working the panels into greyscale...but it lost a lot of detail + it was too grey...+ i held off making it colour due to costs for printing + what i may have to charge (Are the people willing to pay for this?, Will people buy it?...ultimately, it doesn't matter if nobody buys it...everything is ultimately practice for the next project anyway)
So i chose to stay with colour...

That means
1. Re-drawing all the images
2. Scanning
3. Tweaking the contrast + adjusting the colours etc
4. Re-working each new version of the drawing, digitally.
5. Adding new elements to replace some of the items i took out form each panel due to lackluster or flatness.
6. Making each panel cohesive to the one previous + the one after it.

The equation is this.....

Project 1 has 4 Panels
Project 2 has 8 panels
Project 3 has 4 panels

^ Original artists books used

That totals 16 panels of art (all of which has been re-done from scratch pretty much)

Then you add the 2 covers
Plus the 1 intro to the project page + the 2 pages at the back for artist info + original jpegs -
+ the 3 Project word intro/meaning pages

EQUALS - 24 pages in total

That's part of the process i have gone thru to get the following-
Here are some images from the finished product

This is the finished cover + detail of the spine
All colour laser printed, recycled card backing. Stapled with an industrial fiber tape cover added over the top for the spine-

^On the Left...cover - On the Right...the layout for the '4 words' page + their dictionary meaning.

Below are some examples of the original 4W4P artist books + their newer incarnations

^ Reworking panels

^ Then there is 'reinventing' panels altogether - Example 1

^ Another 'Reinvented' page-

^2 Panels from the 2nd project-

^ And then there are panels (This is from the 3rd Project) that i wasn't entirely happy with in the first place + now, having the chance to 'redo' the project, i am able to do something a little more in line with the story-
I changed the idea entirely...see below

^ Much better now...changed the story a little more, too-

^ On the Left - A newer panel that has been tidied up + on the Right is one of the last pages, showing small thumbnails of the original Artist Books-

IN CONCLUSION-
I have a bit of a problem with out + out calling it a 'zine' as it goes above + beyond what a zine is generally considered-
I can't call it a 'Comic' exactly, even though i have comic styled work in it-
It's not an Artists' Book anymore...nor is it a Graphic Novel...
I guess i will have to settle with calling it all + none of the above...adding the 'thingo' on the end, so as to infer that it can be what you want-

I am limiting my printing runs, so as to save on costs up front-
They are $10 each -This includes postage to where ever you may be. (If you live on the moon however...then expect a slightly higer rate for poastage)
If you would like a copy, you can email me directly + place an order- Email here

...SIDE GLANCES FROM THE GODS...

2011-03-31T17:35:00.000+10:00

Just a quick update...
Here are a few details of the latest '4 Words For Paper' zine/comic/Publication i am working on.
I don't think it fits any one singular criteria, so i call it all those things...
A BEFORE + AFTER shot of a panel

A detail along with a full image of another panel

And then the last shot of yet another panel...

Here is a test print run...originally i was going to just go with greyscale, but then i was also going to just turn the orginal artists books into a zine. But as i worked with each image they looked shitty, so i have overhauled it to the 'Nth' degree...seriously
I am waaaay more satisfied with the outcome + i am sure its going to be far more appealing to those who like 'Artists Books', 'Zines' + (Self) publications in general.

This IS NOT part of my Graphic Novel...It is however, excellent practice.

If you are a 'Facebook' bandit...then click on this LINK to find more images, updates...I am very friendly + like to interact with those who stumble across my work ;)

...NEON SHADES OF BLACK RAN THRU ME...

2011-03-16T11:27:00.000+10:00

Here is an update on what my '4 Words For Paper' zine is looking like.

Its starting to turn into a comic of sorts, as i work on it...i find more i want to change as the original 'artist books' just aren't translating across in the printed format.

They are looking flat + the various types of meduims + techniques employed to create the details in these artist books in the first place...are kind of being lost.

So i am working my magic + changing them...that way i feel it offers the veiwer/reader something more rather than an exact copy of the original.

Also, i mix my own inks...for fun + for experiments

The skills in creating your own coloured inks shall also come in handy with the Graphic Novel i am working on.

The weather has been really nice...

...for bike rides in the bush...

I finally got around to printing out my Bird_Habit zine in the A5 format

It nice working with this chappie too

Master Swee approves

Its been a while between posts, but thats due to my trying to manage all the things i want to do - with all the things i can actually get done...such is the way of it ;)

...FILKA ZINES REVIEW 1...

2011-02-25T18:45:00.003+10:00

Here is the youtube video i smashed together with a free program from the internets.
It has the full review of just my zines....i made this for those of you who can't be bothered to click a bunch of links to find your way there.

I would appreciate any feedback that you may have.

...ZINE REVIEW FROM THE COMICSPOT...

2011-02-24T19:29:00.000+10:00

I recently had my zines reviewed by the DIY Arts show on 3CR
It's on from 5 - 6PM every Thursday. (Melbourne time)

"Tune into The Comic Spot hosted by John Retallick on the last Thursday of the month on the DIY Arts Show. John will be interviewing comic makers, graphic novel artists and cartoonists. Supported in the studio by sometimes co-hosts Jo Waite and Bernard Caleo The Comic Spot crew share their passion for comics in all its forms.
Listen for in depth interviews with creators, editors and publishers of comics. Find out more about the medium than you ever thought there was to know; and link into the creative community of comics artists and appreciators in and around Meblourne.
The Comic Spot also feature reviews of Australian comics and upcoming comic related events.
Comics are a global language and The Comic Spot likes theirs to have an Australian accent."
Here is the link to the podcast

My review starts at around 23mins in...I must add that the review is pretty awesome too!

...SPILLING FABLES...

2011-02-21T15:31:00.000+10:00

I have a facebook page for my zines + other works.

Pop on over + like the page if your on facebook...i enjoy meeting + interacting with other creatives :)

Click the pic to go to the page

...PINNING TOGETHER PAPER WINGS WITH TAR...

2011-02-10T17:34:00.000+10:00

So the '4 Words For Paper' zine is coming along nicely ( a little slower than i thought)
Above is a before + after...I am starting to feel i have over-committed myself here - but alas...it has been in the 'To do list' for a good 4 years

▲

Its official - Travis + I are fully committed to our show at the end of the year at the Myrtle Street Studio

It will be a fundraiser of sorts, aswell as a chance for the public to give us critical feedback about our Graphic Novel
There should be original art for sale, prints, zines + some other items for sale.
I will post more about it as we go along...

▲

I got some goodies from Travis...i will be busting out some of my inks + mucking about with this paper + these pens over the next couple of weeks
I will post some of the experiments at a later date.

▲

Also, its nice to be able to go for afternoon rides after a day at the laptop/wacom

▲

...CARVING GREY - SHAPE/ING RED - MAKING BLACK...

2011-02-07T15:13:00.000+10:00

I have a deck in the show 'Board Writers' brought to you by SCAIP
Check the flyer for show details

▲

I have also signed up for Round II of the Penny Black Project
Registration closes 11th of Feb.

▲

The very lovely Mandy Beaumont sent me one of her books of poetry.
I read the whole thing as soon as i got it.
If you enjoy your poetry with grit + power...check Mandys stuff out Here + Here

▲

...WATCHING ME WALK ON WARRING STORM CLOUDS...

2011-01-19T13:34:00.000+10:00

All this talk of getting things finished has brought me back to the concept of my Graphic Novel with Travis.

Having upsized the format for the next round of printing with 'Bird_Habit.1 Dreams of Dust' from A6 (10.5 x 14.85cm) to A5(21 x 14.85cm)...thusly...

I have had so many people express to me that they wished these zines were larger due to the amount of detail in them, I have to agree with them...they should really be larger.

These larger zines will be $6.50...only 50 cents more then in their previous size/incarnation.

There will be some slight tweeking, as i am perfecting a couple of little niggley things that have annoyed me about the zine since the first print run.

So what have we got...

An upsized laser printed zine full of original stories and drawings.

That is 20 pages from cover to cover.

A portion of the price is pledged/donated to Animal Liberation Queensland.

You get a book token too.

'Bird_Habit.2 - House of Cards' will also be printed in the A5 format.

Now onto the storms...

I like this last set...on the left, you can see the birds trying to fly away from the rain...my iPhone couldn't capture them quick enough...

...THROW THE FIRST STONE + WAIT FOR THE KING...

2011-01-08T13:43:00.002+10:00

First blog of the year + i thought i would write a list for the work i want to publish/print
This list is not a comprehensive, all encompassing life list (you save that shit for the front of your fridge...so you can walk past it + feel guilty about not having achieved as much as you'd hoped for the year)
It's not a 'resolution list' but more of an 'aim for list'
This is more for me to refer to + hopefully find the time to create - or dismiss if they are just a fancy + don't actually have enough grunt to come to fruition.

To Finish...
1. - 'I a Scribe' - #2
Incarnation in Red –

Short stories –
Written on the run -
Characters encountered –
Deeds done -

A7 portrait format
This is an A4 sheet folded to make 8 pages
Its mostly all done as it is...just got to go to the printers really.

+

2. - Finish 'Haich.3 - Love + Gravity' (A6)
Its been sitting in a folder...ready to be made (Illustrations not done, but the intent, layout + Stories are there)

A6 Landscape format
Laser printed...eventually

+

To finish
3. - Bird_Habit.2 'House of Cards'

Up scaling the Bird_Habit zines from a A6 (10.5 x 14.85cm) to an A5 zine (21 x 14.85cm)
I posted about it here + i intend to make good my promise (to myself) that i will 'cool it' with the over detailed nature of this zine...
My intention for this zine in the beginning was to create something more 'book-like' + i think i have.
I also tend to 'Fall down the Rabbit hole' in that i get lost in detail after i have finished with the foundations of a thing - i guess its a bit like fractals....inward + inward + inward = details, details, details...

+

Create 3 possibly 4 zines from the 1st Round of my work for my 4 Words For Paper' Artist Books.
This project has been on hiatus for such a long time.
I have thought about it from time to time.
I have the artist books from this project on a shelf + its seems a bit of a waste of 16 months of create output to not do anything else with them...hence the zine.
It was my intention once i had finished the 2nd round of 4W4P to make these zines, but time + all the other usual excuses got in the way + they have also been sitting in an folder...
Here is a little look at what it is going to look like
This is just the mock up version...still plenty to do - but i should have it finished in about 2 weeks ( more likely less)

9.9 x 21cm
12 pages colour + black + white laser printed (eventually)

I have about 6 Artist books also sitting in a 'To Be Finished' folder too

ZINE FAIR NEWS...

I will be sharing a table at this Zine Fair in Brisbane

Fair/Fundraiser for the Dasmarinas Infoshop & Library

Sunday, January 16
2:00pm - 7:00pm

Burst City
69 Grey Street South Brisbane
Australia

Tables are $10 (donated directly to the Dasmarinas Infoshop)

To book a table or donate zines please contact Innez on:
inneztulloch at gmail.com

...

I hope to update a bit more often, as i will have more to show, having spent the better part of last year working on my writing + book/stories.

On top of all the zines + artist books i want to get done...there is the Graphic Novel with Travis + running Round III of '4 Words For Paper'...seems a bit too impossible to try to aim for all these things + finish them BUT i feel like i owe it myself to try to get at least the majority of them done due to the lack of visual output last year.
Looks like there will be more rain for the coming month...seems to be the perfect weather for me to a hermit.

...SHADING GREY, SHE CARRIED THE SUN ON HER SHOULDERS...

2011-01-02T17:59:00.000+10:00

There was an eclipse recently...quite pretty + fairly quick

Also having had a fairly wet December - there was some amazing cloud action

Christmas was pretty quiet this year

Started a new (well it's been sitting in the "To Do" list for ages) project...its the '4 Words For Paper' Zine!

I will no doubt add more images of the works in progress in another blog update

I have updated the Blog + am finishing up some outstanding projects

This year concludes the 'catching up on my written work' part of my creativity.

having spent the better part of the year in front of the computer, backing up all my written work from years of accumulation.

I have got the Graphic Novel under way with the help of Travis

I am getting a bunch of zines under way.

I have raised roughly $20 ($0.50 cents from each zine sold) goes to Animal Liberation Queensland from my Bird_Habit.1 zine (A feat i am particularly proud of)

The break in exhibiting has given me the enthusiasm to throw myself into the deep end again with all the projects + ideas that have been working themselves back into my attention.

That' it for now...hoping to update more often as things speed up

...PAPER CUTS IN BLACK...

2010-12-29T15:15:00.002+10:00

Jeremy Staples from The Paper Cuts Zine Collective asked me to do an article on my involvement in the Penny Black Project by Joanna Coltman.

It has pics of some of the other participants work + of Myrtle Street Studio.

Here is a look-see at the zine Jo made

If you would like a zine, make contact with Jo by viviting her blog here

...PENNY BLACK PROJECT EXHIBITION + ZINE LAUNCH...

2010-12-19T21:57:00.002+10:00

Friday Night, the 3rd of December , was the opening of the Penny Black Project exhibition + Zine Launch

Below is how my stamps were arranged...along with the 'artworks' to accompany them

This is 'Joanna Coltman' who has co-ordinated, run + created the project...She also managed to create a really beautiful zine from the works...altho i don't have a copy yet to show you here...note...i will share it when i get one myself.

The Myrtle Street Studio is a gorgeous space ...

I met some really cool people, told them about zines + the like...and that there may be a solo show on the horizon late next year at Myrtle Street Studio...possibly a shared show with Travis D Hendrix....(not sure if Travis knows yet)

...And finally...here is me...being socially awkward...as per usual...

Thank-you Jo for creating, co-ordinating and being the master of this rad little project.
Thank-you Jay Dee also for all the support + help offered these last few months

Just a short + sweet post...more next time ;)

...FIST-FULLS OF JADE DESIRE GLINTING IN THE SHADE...

2010-12-03T12:22:00.001+10:00

Last week was duper duper busy for me

Here are the last of my stamps that i created for the Penny Black Project run by Joanna Coltman.

These are the digital versions of the stamps...Below are a couple of the 'tactile' or the 'arty' versions...having made each stamp with various mediums + techniques...there are 2 works on board that aren't in the show...but will be part of the series...

There will be a show at Myrtle Street Studio where the stamps have been collated + turned into a zine which will be launched on the opening night (only for friends + family who were part of the project)

But if you're interested in seeing the show - see details below

Travis came over to discuss our Graphic Novel...i can't share much about it here...so i will fill you in with some quick sketches i have done lately

There was much excitement + sharing of ideas

Here is a little screen grab of the very very very basic baby stages blog

I got an impromtu visit from Jay Dee...who brought some cake + fizzy drinks...the ladies got style!

She gifted me with belated birthday treaties from her recent adventures in the greater parts of europe

A mini hand bound book in red leather + some divine wax sealed ink...also a very sweet card.

Jay Dee - You are a true treasure...Thank-you!

Jay had a day off + went to the ashes...here are some shots he took

We decorated our tree this weekend gone too...that apple decoration is my favourite

Here is a house down our street who fully rocks it for christmas

I love this time of year

The sound of the crickets + the amazing storms + the beautiful sunsets

I got an iphone...apart from being a totally rad phone - it does some fancy pants things...like making your photos look like this

Well...till next time kids...

...I WILL TRICK YOU RICH WITH TIMES' SAND...

2010-11-29T14:04:00.002+10:00

K - so i got a new bike...+ its flippen awesome!

We have been riding them on some cool bush tracks in the National Parks up here + i must say it's a little addictive

Follow that up with some food experiments ( i say experiments... i mean concoctions )

Here on the left we have a bubble + squeak type situation...thats all left over roasty goodness refried with an egg

Then on the right we have - sweet potatoe wedges, cauliflour in breadcrumbs, herb fried organic free range chicken, garlic green beans + wilted baby spinich...

Here we have more goodness

This is on the left - beef noodle soup containing loads of asian leafy greens, bean thread noodles, carrott, cauliflour, shallotts...and probably some other stuff...Jay makes this - I love this soup!

On the right - bog standard free range organic eggs from my mumsies chickens + cherry tomatoes from her place aswell...mushrooms...is nice

My Mum + her husband dropped in on their way back from some festivities down in Stanthorpe

It was sneakily organised that they stop in with the intention of belatedly gifting Garry from his birthday back in October...

So it was that mumsie gave me orders of purchasing a Nintnedo DSi for Garry ( due to the type of work he does...which involves alot of travel overseas...thusly...plenty of time + opportunity to play games)

So we purchased him an electric blue NDSi -

He was a little perplexed as top what it was - so a small demonstration ensued (by me - as i have a DS + i play that bad boy everyday!) - the DSi has many more features - so it was fun mucking about with the photo functions.

Then there was cake

...Well...last minute cakeish type cake...

Here are some random items brought back for me from Japan, Malaysia and possibly somewhere else..but not sure...

Yeah...thats right...Smartie crayons that actually work...full of smarties

Seaweed...lots of seaweed as its one of my favourite things to eat.

Currently working on finishing my penny black project stamps

I may upload some images of the finished products in the next post...

...PENNY BLACK PROJECT EXHIBITION + ZINE LAUNCH...

2010-11-22T18:09:00.001+10:00

The stamps that i have been working on over the year are going to be compiled with everyone elses' work + made into a zine, then showed at Myrtle Street Studio.

Here is my first stamp + here is my second stamp for a preview...

For a look at the stamps in full - go to the Penny Black Project blog -

linking

2010-11-05T13:42:00.002+10:00

Bloglove

...WE MAKE + TAKE LIKE MONSTERS...

2010-10-21T12:58:00.001+10:00

So the writing goes on + on + on + on....etc

And as i am doing so i am at the same time pining for a new zine...

Looks like I will be upsizing my next Bird_Habit zine from A6 (10.5 x 14.85cm) to A5 (21 x 14.85cm), as so many ask me to go bigger due to the detail in my work...this way i can cram more in...

Old school stamping kit - its a bit dissintergrated but still ok - i have to clean it up yet.

Th writing of a Graphic Novel is really the 1st very small baby step in the scheme of things -

I mean coming up with the characters + plot and all that is a task in it self but - i am trying to sort the whole mess out before i splice a bit of it off to share with Travis D Hendrix...

Here is some preliminary pics of the folders for the Graphic Novel

On the left is the scrap book - on the right is the writing folder - which holds all the stories, ideas + jottings etc

I shall be sending out some stories to friends to go over + critique soon - They aren't for the graphic novel - but side projects to turn into something later on...

...ANCIENT STONES RESIN AMBER ECHOES...

2010-10-21T12:27:00.002+10:00

The sun said goodbye mid September...replacing it with rain...

Eventually when it did come back...Jay was able to set up his birthday present with Beau...His weather station

Mr Swee enjoyed the freshly mowed grass in his own way...

We went up to my Mothers place on Friday + stayed the night to celebrate her birthday

It was especially nice due to the very fine weather

On Sunday - we had an impromptu BBQ...

We played Legos...and erin got a little drunk + fell asleep on the lounge, Beau then proceeded to take over Lego duties

Erin informed me that this was her first Lego experiance...had she not had too much to drink (I put that down to eagerness + excitement) she could have quite possibly finished what she was making (Which was, as i like to call them a "choose your own adventure" lego - which is a three in one pack...it had parts for a truck, a car or an F1 style car...) Ezzi tried the Truck

...WEBSITE RELAUNCH...TORNTRANSLATIONS.COM.AU...

2010-10-03T17:00:00.000+10:00

I spent about a month redoing my website

Here are some screen shots

______________________________________

CLICK HERE FOR A LOOK-SEE

There are a couple of things that need to be finished - but it is mostly finished

Feel free to let me know what you think of the layout etc

...WHERE WE'LL STOP, NO-ONE KNOWS...

2010-10-02T22:04:00.001+10:00

Part 2 of catching up...

My Brother from another mother - The Infamous "Baker" - had his birthday...

He had a hung ee - there was loads of food

I finally got a copy of 'Adam Pasions' 'Sundogs' Comic

I get a special thanks along with a sketch in the front...thats super cool of Adam!

Order your copy from Adam here - Or check out Adams Blog

Moving onto work again - the writing for the Graphic Novel has been long + kinda tedious

2 steps forwards + 5 steps back...its all about familiarising myself with the worlds, characters + ideas behind my creations....so i can then chip a bit off + use that as the basis for the collaborative Graphic Novel

I guess i should let you know who i am collaborating with

Travis D. Hendrix - is an amazing artist + fellow art explorer/adventurer.

His work is techincally stunning, we share a thread of ideas that are seemingly timed to collaborate on a project together now.

This will be an adventure, a challenge + hopefully a success

The idea is to send him a compedium of stories, visual reference + things to inspire him to help coax out the project.

He is then going to add his spin on things, also adding some of his own ideas, worlds, characters etc...

its going to be a make it up as we go project - but within the confines of sharing the work + making it something we are both equally working on + learning about on the way...anyway...we are starting this + see how it goes

Here is a stamp that will be used in the 'branding' of paperwork for the GN (Graphic Novel)

Here are some experiments + my work space for now

This is my Bird_Habit.1 Zine - i am thinking of upping the size from A6 (10.5 x 14.85cm) to A5 (21 x 14.85cm)...i keep getting feedback that my zines would be better bigger due to the detail...so - i am mucking about with that - maybe for the next Bird_Habit.2 (House of Cards)

Brisbane Zine Fair - update....

I got my 'Haich' 1 + 2 zines reviewed here by Jack - who also took a pic of me at the zine fair - as i didn't get a chance to take a photo of my stall - the following are some that i have found.

Cheers Jack!

Below is a pic by Sticky Institute

...ROUND + ROUND WE GO...

2010-09-30T15:38:00.003+10:00

So playing catch up...

Jay + I went for a day trip to Mount Mee...

On the left below...is the leftovers of a Bower Birds Nest

We then went to Woodford + stopped in at an Antique + 2nd Hand shop

Here are some of the goodies

Tin Ray Guns + Flying Barbie Cars

An assortment of Star Wars Figures + Comics

August was full of Birthdays -

Finally, it was Jays Birthday...we did the following

Here is the dinner (on the left) + breakfast i made

We then stopped in at Beau + Erins (So i could sneaky sneaky make a cake)

Below is a 'Mixed Tape' of goodies

Followed by a 'Ghetto Blaster' present...it was a weather station...

The lads then left + Erin + I started to make the cake...

It was a Black Forrest Cake - something which i haven't made before

I wasn't going to do it, as i thought it would be too difficult...but changed my mind at the last minute...

Here Jay is cutting the cake on the Left + on the right..Erin has had a bit too much to drink :)

Having spent the last 6 months just hard core working on my writing...we were finally able to invest in a laptop

I also attended Brisbanes' 1st Zine Fair...in...like....ages...

Held at the 'Bleeding Hearts Gallery' in the city...it was exciting to be able to actually have my 1st official stall.

It was organized by 'The Paper Cuts Collective' + there were about 20 tables

Cheers to Jeremy Staples for spreading the word

I had the great honour of meeting + pleasure of having as table neighbour 'Jackie Ryan' - The master mind behind 'BURGER FORCE'

Her Work is fantastic - please check it out

Well - must get back to it...thats all for now -

...HOW TO MAKE A WAND ...TUTORIAL 2...

2010-08-18T11:55:00.000+10:00

This tutorial follows on from making the wand...to making the box + adding the fancy bits

...HOW TO MAKE A WAND...TUTORIAL 1

2010-08-17T15:56:00.003+10:00

Erin went all out for my birthday + since having converted her to the world of 'Harry Potter' - i decided to make her a wand...a customized wand that is...

She expressed a certain preference to the wonky 'Bellatrix Le'Stranges' wand so i went with that idea
What follows are the images of some of the stages of the wand making process...

CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR DETAILS

The Tutorial on how i made the box + the finished product will follow in the next post...

...HIDING IN THE SHADOWS...

2010-08-10T22:43:00.000+10:00

it's good to celebrate the ones you love + respect
So i am trying to make more of an effort to do so...publically ;)

A very good friend of ours is Beau
Champion of computers + all things technology based, he is always there to lend a hand, whether it be to move house or fix an internets problem -
He has an open mind + heart + has always supported me personally by coming along to all my exhibitions + listening to my 'art rants' etc

So Erin - his loverly Girlfriend got sneaky + organised a surprise 30th for him
She passed the hat around + we got him this...having broken his last one some 5 years or so ago.

We had to wrap this somehow...So i suggested a 'castle' - then bettered myself by making it Batman themed - I made this out of some cardboard he got me a few years ago...
Yeah - It's supposed to be Gotham City
I knocked this baby up in 2 + half hours...+ i was running on 3 hours of sleep too...not bad methinks.

I made some decorations too
On the left is some paper i forgot i had - but on the right are some small mathematics paper flags

He was genuinely surprised !
I wanted to see tears - but that happened later apparently...oh well there is always next year ;)

Dapper lads + ladies

Dammit Beau.....I WILL SEE YOU CRY <3

...CRIMSON RIDDLES + LAKES OF BLACK INK...

2010-07-29T11:23:00.000+10:00

So you might remember me saying i was taking a different direction with my work...
I have been backing up my written work -
Here is the previous post to refer to the mountains of writing i have to type into my computer....

Here are the current progress shots...

Yeah....the mountain has grown...
Not only am i trying to back up my books of writing BUT i am trying to go over the individual character files i have been compiling over the years too -

They are mostly scrapbooks with stuff to reference for my characters accompanied by the writing...

I have gone backwards in order to go forwards...i need to re-familiarize myself with my lands + characters so i can finally get by butt into gear + turn them into ACTUAL books....of some description

This is one of my main characters called TOR ....+.....

...Here are some of the double digit page story lines i am working on...
Just a point of interest...the pic on the right...the weird brownish colour - it was originally a piece of beetroot i used to fill in the background...i have enjoyed watching it age + change colour ( approx 5 years ago )

There is one book that is really giving me grief...refer back to the 'Notes' book...+ you may start to get an idea of what i am having to deal with...

Making small progress with it...
You see the paperclip bookmark - that's where i am up to...

Also..another one of those scrawled tiny coded pencil writing books...that i keep putting off till the end of all the other work...

I am feeling really good about it all tho
I have so many side projects, it keeps me busy + enthused.

I feel as tho i have over-committed myself a tad, what with the wanting to paint minis + learning Board Games + concept design for random different projects + building my website in my 'down-time' + trying to finish some actual drawing/painting projects that still capture my attention...but i have no time for...but that makes for a bigger reward...i hope.

...TARRED WITH FEATHERS + FINE SILKS + TRIANGLES CUT FROM JADE...

2010-07-28T00:25:00.001+10:00

I am a book collector - not in the posh sense
I just really love books + the possibilities they hold

Yes - it sucks when you have to move + about 50% of what you own is books BUT that is part of the love affair...you are committed to them...they hold the worlds you love - the places you can go to in your mind if + when you need to.

Some books smell amazing - some like vanilla,some like industrial ink...
The feel of an old book, the sound of the cracking spine as it folds out
The care one takes as they pick up a book that has been loved + red + re-red
It is ritual
It is vital
It is a life blood of knowledge

Here are some of my books that i have collected + red + re-red +re-red +.....

Books found, discovered, coveted, treasured + loved

I try to collect Hardback - but sometimes - you just gotta have a book
+ sometimes they don't come in hardcover like my Star Wars 'Essential Guide to Droids' - I picked that baby up for $5 brand new

+ every time i go to a lifeline book fair - I find a book by one of my favourite Author + Illustrators - Robert Ingpen

Here are some of my favourite classics + a section dedicated to My favourite writer ever - FRANK HERBERT

I am posting about my favourite books as i am making real headway with my own written work.
It excites me to think that one day - my own work could be sitting on a shelf in the future...

Well going to get back to it now - so many stories to transfer from mind to paper...

...THREE NEW MASKS MADE FROM MEMORIES OF WINTER...

2010-07-20T00:11:00.003+10:00

These are the stranglers - The pics that i have finally got around to uploading from the last week -
The birthday week - as i call it...

Thursday - Had a friend over for dinner + then we went together to an opening at Grub Street - A photographic exhibition called 'Eyre from the Air' by John Bean

Friday saw a visit from my sister with 2 of her 3 squidlings
We spent most of the morning water spraying anything with flowers...or green generally
We then moved onto writing our names on the concrete...then fence + so forth

Leiara on the Left + Lilly on the Right

Gorgeous kids + i love them to bits
My sister also dropped round this for me too...

Hes' Remote controlled + he make all the sounds
I have always wanted an R2 <3...Thank you Yoda!

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Friday night i got a few late parcels from 'Squee the Invisible' - Erin + Beau

OK - I'm not that embarrassed to tell the whole world that YES...I love Harry Potter...
So my sweet friend (enlisting the help of another good Samaritan *Kelsie* ;) ) made these AMAZING hand made gifts...just for lil ol' me....to make my birthday more special...i was totally gob smacked when she kept handing me parcel after parcel....

There were 6 Magic Chocolate Frog boxes, each with their own collectibles card + beautiful chocolate frog inside...all made from scratch + her own template...

I think i heard Ezzi say that each box takes about 40 minutes to make from printing, cutting, gluing to finished box - I'm not sure - I will ask her to see as i am interested to see how long it did take her approximately...Maybe i don't want to know - as there are 6 of them...eek

Then there were Bertie Botts every flavour Beans
These were really cool - Check the Flavours!

AND to top it all off...They got me the Limited Edition Harry Potter Lego game
Which comes with 4 Lego magnets (which are currently being used to hold up all my collectible Chocolate frog Cards)

The Air Microphone is totally sweet too - as i am always banging on about how i want to get band hero + sing to the sweet sweet sounds of 80s' ROCK!!!
Plus i tend to sing allot of my conversations too...yes it is sometimes awkward...but you get used to it ;)

I would have to say i have been thoroughly spoilt this year...

Alright - i will see you all in a month - I am going to go play Lego games till my eyes bleed...or i finish the games...either way...FUN!

THANK-YOU TO ALL THE LOVELY PEOPLES FOR MAKING MY DAY/WEEK TOTALLY FLIPPEN AWESOME...many hugs + much love to you all

...TO HELP THEM FIND MEMORIES LEFT BY THE BIRDS...

2010-07-18T20:40:00.000+10:00

So the day started with some of my favourite birds saying hello

I like thousands of others went to see the Ron Mueck exhibition in Brisbane

I liked this one because it shows you a little of the workings

Some other beautiful works that we caught on the way out...

The exhibtion is called -

Spirited: Works from the Gallery’s Indigenous Australian Collection

...+ THEY HOPED TO FIND COLOURS FROM THE PAST...

2010-07-17T20:56:00.000+10:00

Here are some pics of my 2 day birthday celebrations

Afternoon Drinks + hanging with Master Swee in the afternoon
I don't think i post enough pics of Master Swee...considering he is a big part of my life

Treats + eats

Goodies + games...

Birthday weekend eats...
Curry for dinner the night before + Crepes for breakfast

OK - so i am 1 year older...

But i don't feel it...I think my natural age is 11 years old = A curious, loyal, dorky, adventurist, tomboy...

...AND THE MONSTERS WERE CARVED FROM ICE + STONE...

2010-07-15T13:17:00.002+10:00

Catching up - i'm like a cat in the wind...full of energy but no direction

So i am updating my blog with what i HAVE captured/been doing lately

Here is a panarama of Cedar Creek...

I found some old things of mine - Here are some carvings i did when i was a kid
I found a really soft piece of stick that was awesome to carve - i wish i knew what tree it came from.
It was the best wood i have ever tried to carve with.
These pieces are about 4 to 5 cm in length

A painting of Mr T i did when i was in 1st grade
I have some more old stuff my mum gave me - so i will probably end up scanning it all + using them in some way
I found some old certificates + notes, awards, badges, photos + general bits & pieces.

in the lead up to new projects - i made a paper crane tree for my studio...also
I have started (with baby steps) to prep my minis

Also there is a Whale in a wave on the left (you can just see his tale) on the left

+ a bird in flight on the right - maybe like a hummingbird....or a sparrow...

...THE WHITE GAVE ME HANDFULS OF INSIGHT...

2010-07-01T13:55:00.001+10:00

Its' a game of catch-ups for now

Played my 2nd game of Blood Bowl

Here are some snippets of the action

Ezzi kicked my arse...you should be able to get a 'run-down' of the game from the AUSCON blog...it is currently not available due to a Warhammer competition....but should be up in the next...week or so...

Above right - A mini that Ezzi wants me to paint eventually...

On to other things...like games night # 2 at the Ferny Games Club

Here we have a sample of some new games that my friend 'Baker' dropped round for us to play...mostly 1st shooter type games...but i am going to have a go at Afro Samurai...as i like the character.

Also you can see a can of TAB - i haven't had TAB for ages...not since i was in N.S.W. when i lived there...so suffice it to say...it was a treat...altho it didn't live up to its memory...i think it was because the can is different...

Onto the games

Guitar hero + Heroclix

Then there were more traditioanl games like

(Photos by Kellsie Streeter)
Trivial Pursuit

Followed by Twister (Photos by Kellsie Streeter)

I won this game but then lost the next 2 - due to too many players and my wearing a skirt + socks...

Afternoon drives to Cedar Creek

Breakfast of poached eggs, slamon gravlax, rocket, avocado, grilled tomatoe + some funky wasabi mayo...this is my absolute favourite breakfast from Grub st cafe...if you haven't eaten there...you really really should (provided you live in brisbane...)

I am still backing up all of my old writing...taking an age to do so...
My hands are freezing - but its' ok...i drink alot of Tea...

Onto other exciting news - As you may or may not know...i am not interested in exhibiting anymore...nor am i interested in making original work for commissions or sales in general.

I am getting invovled in the AUSCON convention...which is going to be 3 days of table top gaming, painting, competitions + more.

As part of that - i am blogging my adventures in learing to play games like 'Blood Bowl', 'Dungeons + Dragons', 'Warhammer' + anything else i can get my hands on...A sideline to that is learning to paint the miniatures that are used for these games.

So - i got alot of info from the guys running AUSCON - Mark + Al...they sent me links for sites, forums, painting sites with tips + some Australian painters.

One of the links was to Sebastian Archer - who is an incredibly talented painter + miniature sculpter.
His website is Guild Of Harmony - go to the gallery page + click on 'Painted Minis'...amazing work....+ remember - these are miniatures....

I emailed him telling him abut what i wanted to do - which is to learn to paint minis...and hopefully sculpt some...eventually.
He replied back + offered to send me some minis + some samples of sculpting meduim to learn with -
So, in turn i traded him my zines...a meager offereing but its all i have...aside from money...which i have less of :)

Start of with a trade in zines...

The following pics are some of the goodies i got from Sebastian from the 'Guild Of Harmony'

Above are the goods - A mix of Sebastians minis' + Minis' from Red Box Games
Some sculpting samples, wire + minis.

These minis are from Tre Manor from 'Red Box Games'

Below: I am looking forward to painting the one on the left - Which is called Jian Nai, sculpted by Sebastian.

I also like the fact that there is a dwarf dude + a conan looking one

I hope to post my progress over the coming weeks, months - to next year.
I want to see how i do over the course of a year - coupled with trying to sculpt aswell.

Along side my other creative projects, which have taken a bit of a back seat at the moment - it will all settle down once i get started with painting - then i can finish off some projects owing....+ get stuck into all the other things that i want to do.

Thank-you Sebastian...for everything thus far
Thank-you Mark + Al for AUSCON + letting me be a small part of it
Thank-you Ezzi for Girl Gaming Goodness + games nights

I have said it before + i will say it again

...COME ON DOOOOOWWWWN...

2010-06-16T13:40:00.002+10:00

Friday night was Games night...

Trivial pursuit, Guitar Hero, Heroclix just to name a few

The there was the thrill of winnig a heap of Magic - The Gathereing Cards from ebay...

Here are some of the lads playing Heroclix

Yeah, it's not beer + Skittles, its' beer + popcorn...thats how we roll

Games night is going to be an ongoing thang...pot luck food, BYO, all centered on a massive board game collection freshly aquired + held at the 'B+E Games Den' (B+E Games Den is just a funky fresh term for Beau + Ezzs' place)

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Have Grub - Will travel

Breakfast @ Grub Street - on Sunday - Carrot patties with, poached egg + ...a bunch of other stuff that was yum

Sunday Morning was Breakfast at home -

Followed by a bush walk

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Monday was Fun + Games again...

Picked up the MTG cards + divvied them up - i now have around 450 cards...give or take...

...good times...

...DREAMING OF EASTERN DRAGONS...WITH RED SCALES OF RUIN...

2010-06-15T21:31:00.000+10:00

I traded zines with a really sweet guy called Tim Scannell
Tim has been fighting the good fight with a tumor for the last 10 years, he creates mail art + is thoroughly published with various poetry + written works

Here is some of the amazing things that he sent me

Real stamps! Look...its' covered in REAL stamps <3

Photocopies of newspaper from the 1900s', poems, zines, stickers, posters, clippings, comics...so much good stuff

STAMPS - I love the Star Wars stamp the most - who doesn't love Boba Fett!

When i get a bit more time i am going to go thru his work more thoroughly + share more of the awesome goodies he sent me

THANK-YOU TIM...I have some more goodies to send back to you + i will try to get the postal ladies to sell me REAL stamps for your envelope!

I recommend you trade with Tim...get in contact with him Via his 'We Make Zines' page

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Here is some more Kusudama

I am also getting really invovled in some boards games like Bloodbowl, D+D (Dungeons + Dragons) Magic The Gathering - this all started with a friend asking me if i wanted to come aalong to a game of Bloodbowl - I said yes, + from what i saw, i wanted to become more invovled in not just playing the games, but painting the miniatures...this all stems from a long fascination with Sculpture + creating my own charcters, so to get into it more...i have decided to throw myself into as many games as possible.

To immerse myself with 'nerd culture' + as part of the AUSCON Games convention that is happening next year (See the website for details) i am blogging my whole journey on their Auscon Blog .
Seeing it + learning about it from a N00bs perspective...it should shed a new light on games culture for females etc...

It has been really fun so far

I shall be posting more about my journey here from time to time - but mostly it will stay on the Auscon Blog...

...WATCHING THE SUN CHASE THE CLOUDS…

2010-06-08T22:02:00.001+10:00

Sunday was the Suitcase Rummage in King George Square
Here is my suitcase...
It is an antique duplicating 'machine'...made here in Australia-
Even tho it is wooden - it is surprisingly light - even filled with goodies...

The 'rummage' was largely a carboot style market with loads of recycled clothes + junk

I thought it was going to be more arts + hand-made goods...

There were some good bits...

Here are some of the products...i can now reveal...that i have for sale, that made their debut at the markets

Mini 'Catch + Release Cards'- i have been working on these babies for ages - i guess it was the markets that pushed me to finish them...

These are the tags i made, along with a preliminary pic of the banner i made from recycled card

I made 6 Kusudama - Origami Paper balls + this is a pic of my cutting mat after all the 'cutting + making'

I also made mini motebooks, large 'Catch + Release Cards' + origami figures
I will post more photos of the things i made..later

I will end this post with a couple of kids i saw at the markets...who look as tho they are waiting for the rest of the band to turn up for the video shoot.

...FOLDING GOLD + SHAKING SILVER...

2010-05-31T23:10:00.005+10:00

SUITCASE RUMMAGE
Sunday 6th of JUNE
King George Square
12 - 5PM
Here is a link to the blog

SNEAK PEAK...of some of the items at suitcase rummage

CATCH + RELEASE CARDS...

you may remember them from this post

Well they are now all ready + waiting to be caught by you.
If you look up the meaning to what a swallow means
- like here for example

You will find all sorts of answers, superstitions etc
For me...Swallows = freedom

Of course there will be my zines + a bunch o' other goodies

Can't show you more - you will just have to get yourselves down + have a rummage

Change is in the air...more creative adventures on the horizon...posting more info later when i have time

Previously....
Jay + I went to the annual camera fair

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Here is a Golliwog cake - its' more of a torte i guess - booze soaked biscuits + loads of cream
This reminds me of christmas - where you see people you don't know but are related to, once a year, gorge yourself on cold goods, cakes, sweets, play backyard cricket, roam the cemetery until you are cold + hungry again...

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Also previoulsy
I do love a bit of South Bank cultural Precinct
The buildings from certain angles remind me of the Ziggurat

I love the new additions

I went + saw the 'Hats' exhibition...it was pretty rad, we made our way thru the giant pile of paper + scraps...Jay practically had to drag me away...from this

I could have easily spent all day there..making stuff

PLANS....formulating

from

Previous Bird_Habit for
Bird_Habit.2 - House of Cards

Got a big couple of months ahead...+ pretty pushed for time

.......Got my eye on the prize.........

Fingers flickering for making more

Mind busy for things to be done

Paper waiting to be shaped

Feet are cold but hands are steady......

...FEEDING THE MONSTERS...

2010-05-04T17:05:00.003+10:00

Phase II in the altered path of my creativity -
I have fallen a little out of love with drawing -
Drawing, painting + generally all the other finer points of visual expression -

But to balance things out, i have for the most part found my appetite for writing -
Not that i had lost it - just that i find at the moment that it is the true creative expression for me....for now anyway -

SO - to get back into the swing of things + since i haven't really backed up most of my handwritten stuff, i am now (and have been for about a month now) typing out all my work from my books of writing.

Here is some of the books i am currently backing up

Above Left - TOTEM + a stack of A4 sized loose sheets etc
Bottom Left - ZION ( i got this giant book/bookkeeping ledger from a garage sale for $1.00...even tho its water damaged...it is an awesome book) + a stack of A5 Notebooks with names like - Clove, Q4 + Double Helix.

Some of the books pictured here have names, as i like to think that they have so many ideas + stories, it would be wrong of me not to give them a name
I have carried these books around in my bag/luggage at different periods of my life and some for years at a time - they have energy, they are a sanctuary, a home away from home + also a place to escape to.

Top Left: EDGER + Minutes (I got these 2 antique books from a friend whose grandad used these for his business...these ones were pretty much empty + they are beautiful to write in and hold)
Top Right: A pic of the Index
Bottom Left: Close-up of the suede spine
Bottom Right: Marble finish

Above: Two pages of my writing

The following are some of my other writing books + pages from them

Above: on the left is POISON + on the Right is ALCHEMY

Pages from these books below

Below is a couple of pages from 'TOTEM'

I found the process of 'scrap booking' helps me remember + focus on the things that i like about existance -
I am not one of people who 'get down with being human' - altho i am a postive person + carry alot of faith + hope generally - i really don't enjoy being part of the human race.

Sometimes i find it dissabling...so i keep a 'scrapbook' also to remind me of the good things.

Below: Some scrapbooks from 1998 onwards

Above: I like to collect random things + paste them in, like tacky quotes from Dr Phil like "If shes' not smilin...shes' not happy" + also funny stoopid stuff like quotes from really shallow + dense celebrities like Paris Hilton (easy target, i know...) and i quote..."I act, sing, model + design...I pretty much do everything" - Gold!

Above: Battleships + childhood - My passport from Expo 88, an old slide from my mum of her mother that got ruined in a flood, stickers, feathers + snoopy...+ some scribbles.

Above - I collect fruit stickers + have done for years now...the raven is a favourite of mine.

...the rise + fall of the mighty...

2010-04-13T18:21:00.001+10:00

TOPIC - Zine Distros'

How do you feel about them?

Me - I think they are a bit of a necessary evil...

On one hand they are a huge part of the cultural history of zines + integral to the underground culture.
On the other hand they seem to be a bit of a 'pet project' for some, that end up collapsing due to many + varied reasons - plainly - they run out of time/patience/money/interest.

Understandably…these things happen

I think zine distros work best when the following occurs...

– There is a need for a distro in that particular part of town or country.
- The distro owner can get to markets + festivals thus increasing the sales + awareness of the zines in stock.
The distro owner is fair about commission – After all the distro wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the zines.
The distro owner is actually a zine maker themselves – I say this as I think it would be better for them to understand exactly how much time + effort actually goes into zines + zine making – not to mention the cost the runs up without really noticing.
It’s a labor of love that you can only really understand if you have labored over it for the love of it.

SOLUTIONS
Here is what I do when venturing to a zine distro
If you see a zine you like, write down the title + creator name plus the price + shipping price on a piece of paper
Look for a link to the artist/creator, if you can’t find one – Google it!
It works a treat as there are so many portals available for creative types to sell their wares – they are bound to have some thing.
Like a page on ‘we make zines’ – where you can contact them directly for a trade or offer to buy it-
‘Etsy’ - I have actually traded with someone from etsy
Here in Australia – we have a pale version of ‘etsy’ called ‘Made it’ – it sells to Aussies only.

If you find that the zinesters/artist/creator has a better price then purchase it from them – plus the added bonus of knowing that you are making them feel pretty good about something they have put a lot of time + effort into rather than a monetary exchange anonymously.

It may be a little more hunting around but I believe that it is worth it in the end as you are supporting the creator/artist and not some go-between or middle man.

I haven’t really sent any of my zines to distros before apart from 'Sticky Institute' in Melbourne + I haven’t really bought any zines from distros before –
I prefer to purchase the zines from the creators if possible.

I believe in full credit going to the artist/creator/zinesters when it comes to purchasing a zine.
I say this with full conviction, as I know how much time I spend on my zines.
I can’t help but be bothered by the idea that someone wants to take as much as half of my money.

Places like ‘Sticky’ here in Australia are vital in that they have an online shop plus an actual physical shop with facilities, space to browse + make zines – they are part of the zine community + the greater entity of the zine world.

If you are protective about your zines – there is a little bit of debate on about what happens to your zine when a distro folds-
Also – what are the responsibilities of the distro owners when it folds, do they send back your zines, like what if they put them in an exchange box so they can trade for their own collection etc?
What if they have paid you out already + negate the obligation to tell you that the distro has folded?
Questions questions + more questions.

I know that at the end of the day – zines are a cheap + easily accessible way to express + create-
By logic + history – the ideal of zines is/was to access something not mass produced or censored.
A freedom to create/write/make + do what you will with it
Times have changed + will continue to change
I think the idea behind zines has been changing ever since they came into being + so with must our opinions about what zines are.
If we all stayed purest to the notion that a zine is a ‘copy + destroy’ publication – then for me – that means I get no credit for what I do.
I guess in summary I am poo pooing the distro fad (+ not individual distro owners) + not the history of zine making.